Recording mechanism



Jan. 12, 1943. s. c. LARSON RECORDING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 5, 1939 s Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY INVENTOR 620m 6. LARSON FIG. 1

Jan. 12, 1943. s. c. LARSON RECORDING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 5, 1939 VER C. lARswv Jan. 12, 1943. G. c. LARSON 2,307,932

RECORDING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 5, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. (F

INVENTOR (flew 1212 CLAESON ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 12, 1943 RECORDING MECHANISM Grover C. Larson, Chicago, Ill., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to General Time Instruments Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application January 5, 1939, Serial No. 249,361

'13 Claims.

This invention relates to recording mechanisms, and particularly to mechanisms which record a quantity which is a function of time.

That embodiment which I have herein preferred to disclose is of that type which is known as a job time recorder. A job time recorder is used, principally in industrial establishments, to record the elapsed time during the performance of a particular job, the record being taken in order to compute the cost of the job by multiplying the amount of elapsed time by a factor representing cost per unit of time. The job time recorder herein disclosed may be used to record either the elapsed time or the cost as determined by the elapsed time, or both.

Previous devices of this sort have been provided .with type wheels adapted to record the time of directly and continuously driven by the time responsive means, but some means of transmitting intermittent motion must be interposed between the two so that the type wheels may be advanced step by step.

My job time recorder, on the other hand, does not employ type wheels and therefore may be continuously driven; consequently, it is less costly and more simple to construct. Furthermore, its inexpensive construction enables the provision of one job recorder at the place of work of each employee which results in a considerable saving of time normally consumed in going from the empl-oyees place of work to a centrally located job time recorder and returning.

Generally speaking, my invention comprises a stylus and a cooperating member, such as a card, one of which is rotatably associated with time responsive driving means. Other features such as a guide for the stylus, means for rendering the driving means inoperative when the stylus is disengaged from the card or when the card is removed from the machine and the method and means of cooperation of the recording mechanism with the indicia on the card to indicate directly the cost are incorporated in my invention and cooperate with each other to accomplish the following objects.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved recording mechanism of simple and inexpensive construction and of positive and efficient operation.

A further object is to provide an improved job time recorder which will record elapsed time.

A further object is to provide an improved time recorder which may be operated directly and continuously by time responsive driving means.

A further object is to provide an improved time recorder which will record a quantity which represents or is a function of elapsed time.

. A further object is to provide an improved record card which will directly indicate cost.

A further object is to provide means for recording the extent of rotation of a member even though the rotation exceeds 360 degrees.

Other objects, features and advantages will become apparent as this description proceeds.

Figure 1 is an elevation of a preferred embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of Figure 1, the driving means being shown diagrammatically in elevation;

Figure 3 is a section of a part shown in Fig- 'urel;

Figure 4 is a front elevation of a modification of my invention, a portion thereof being broken away;

Figure 5 is a side sectional elevation of Figure 4, the driving means being shown diagrammatically in elevation;

Figure 6 is a detailed elevation;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the part shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an elevation of one type of record card which may be used in the apparatus shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 9 is an elevation of the same record card having a different type of indicia thereon.

The embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 1 comprises generally a housing H), a synchronous motor I4, 9. card 60 associated with the motor and rotated thereby, and a stylus 40 for marking the card, the stylus being non-rotatably associated with the housing in such a manner that it cooperates with the card as the latter is ro- .tated. Front plate H and rear plate I2, which are spaced from each other by pillars l3 according to the usual construction, are mounted in housing [0 by means of screws 6| which extend through the front plate into the housing. The motor I4 is mounted on rear plate l2, the synchronous motor being here shown only diagrammatically as the structure of the motor itself forms no part of my invention. A drive shaft l5 projecting from the motor has affixed at one end thereof the pinion I 6 which engages a gear wheel 17 mounted on shaft I8 which is journaled in the front and rear plates. A pinion l9 also mounted on shaft l8 drives gear wheel 20 which is mounted on a shaft 2i journaled in a suitable bearing 29 which is inserted in the front plate. Shaft 2| also carries a disk 22 which is adapted to rotate with the shaft, the disk being affixed to the shaft by means of hub 23 and a stud or set screw 24 which may be loosened to permit of manual rotation of the disk with respect to the shaft. The disk 22 is provided with pins 25 located at intervals on the periphery of the disk, the pins being adapted to cooperate with corresponding apertures 21 in a guide 26 to cause rotation of the guide with the disk. It will be noted that the association of the guide and the disk is such that the guide can be readily removed from the disk by disengaging it from the pins. The guide is also generallycircular in shape, its outline corresponding to that of the disk, and it has formed therein a spiral slot 28.

A hasp 3i! is associated with the housing by means of a hinge 3i positioned at one end of the hasp and carries a center plate 32 which is affixed thereto by means of suitable rivets 33. The center plate has depending bent-over portions '34 which are apertured to serve as journals for a shaft 35, the shaft carrying two parallel arms 36 the outer ends of which are associated with a suitable collar 37. A leaf spring 38 is aifixed at one end to the center plate 32 with its free outer end bearing againstthe collar 31 to urge the arms and the shaft in a counterclockwise or outwardly direction.

A stylus to is suitably positioned in or held by the collar 37, the stylus comprising cylindrical member M in which slides a piston 42, a guide rod 63 extending longitudinally through .the 'cylinder and concentric therewith over which the piston may slide. Coil spring 44 surrounds the guide and at either end thereof bears against the closed end of the cylinder and the piston, respectively, to urge the piston upwardly to an extreme position shown in Figure 2. The upper end of the piston is provided with a horizontal member as which terminates in a suitable pen point 46 or other suitable recording member. A cupshaped member 49 is rotatably mounted on a pin 41 which extends from hasp 39, the pin'terminating in a disk 48 which will prevent the cup-shaped member from slippinng off of the pin. Resilient spider i] is positioned between the cup-shaped member and the hasp to urge the former against the guide, and the guide and the card closely against the disk 22 when the hasp is closed as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

An insulating member 52 is positioned at the remote end of the hasp SE- from hinge 3| and is associated with the hasp by means of a hinge 5|, a U-shaped conductor 53 being mounted on the insulating member. An insulating block 54 is mounted on the side of housing iii and has formed therein two longitudinal passageways 55 and 56, as shown in Figure 3, for the reception of the arms of the U-shaped conductor 53, the two passage ways each having a metallic lining 5'! and 58, respectively, the linings being connected in series circuit with the motor and a suitable source of power. When the hasp is held in the closed position by the cooperation of the U- shaped conductor and block 54, a circuit will be established through the motor. A traverse passageway 5Q in the block he provides means by which the block may be screwed to the housing.

A back plate $3 is provided which can be suitably screwed to the housing.

The uide 26 and disc 22 form means by which a card 63 may be held and rotated, the card as shown in Figures 8 and 9 being provided with slots 6| formed in the periphery thereof to register with pins 25 so that there will be no slipping of the card with respect to the disc. The shaft 2] is extended beyond the disc through aperture 62 in the card and through the guide to facilitate the operation of assembling the card and guide with the disc, the fit of the first two elements over the pins 25 and shaft 21 being reasonably loose to permit rapid assembly and disassembly without necessarily allowing much play between the assembled elements.

Regarding the operation of the embodiment of my invention which is shown in Figures 1 to 3, it will be observed that after card 8'8 and guide 26 have been placed over pins 25 and shaft 2|, the hasp30 is closed so that the cup-shaped member til bears against the guide and so that the pen point 46 of the stylus, of which the upper portion or piston 42 is fully extended, projects through the slot 28 at its outer terminus. The slot at this point65 may be somewhat enlarged in width to permit of slight variations in the position of the pen point as determined by the fully extended piston. As the hasp is closed, and held closed by the frictional engagement of the U-shaped conductor with the linings 5i and 58, the circuit through the self-starting synchronous motor is closed and the disc 22, card and guide are rotated with respect to the stylus,

Rotation of the guide will cause radial displacement of the pen point 46 and piston 42 with respect to the guide, forcing them inwardly against the action of spring '44, so that the line 56 recorded on the card is in the form of a spiral.

' This permits the recording of a rotation greater than 360 degrees.

At the expiration of the time interval, which it has been desired to record, the hasp is opened, the removal of the U-shaped conductor from the recessed insulating block causing the circuit to the motor to be opened thereby terminating the recording process. The guide and the card may then .be removed, the set screw 22 loosened and the disc rotated manually back to its starting position.

The card which is shown in Figure 8 is calibrated directly in dollars and cents so that the labor cost of a particular operation or job may be directly read therefrom. As an example of the manner in which this job recorded may be used, one clock may be provided for each employee who is also provided with a number of cards of the type shown in Figure 3, the cards being calibrated according to the wage rate of the individual employee so that during one complete revolution of the card, which corresponds to a predetermined unit of time, such as one hour, line 66 will traverse successive indicia from 0 to a quantity such as .73 which indicates the labor cost for that unit of time for that employee. The fractional parts of a revolution are measured by indicia which are equiangularly spaced with respect to the center of rotation of the card, rather than being equidistantly spaced from each other.

The card shown in Figure 9 is calibrated in hours and minutes, this card being adapted to record elapsed time directly. Of course similar cards could be used to record other quantities which are a function of time such as distance, weight, liquid measure, number of units produced, labor cost plus overhead, etc.

In the modification of my invention shown in Figures 4-7, inclusive, a motor 14 rotates the stylus 94, the card Ht remaining stationary.

Additional features are also incorporated in this modification, such as means to automatically return the stylus to starting position at the termination of the measured time interval.

Mounted in housing I are front and rear plates, 'II and I2, respectively, which are spaced from each other by pillars I3, the motor I4 being mounted on the rear plate. Rotor shaft I5, which is seen in Figure 5 to extend from the motor, has a pinion I6 affixed thereto which engages suitable speed reduction gearing comprising a shaft 18 J'ournaled in the plates having a wheel 11 and a pinion I9 aflixed thereto, the wheel 11 being driven by pinion 16. Wheel 80,

affixed to shaft BI, is driven by pinion I9.

Guide 82, having a spiral slot I I8 therein, is associated with front plate 'II by means of pillars 83. Shaft 8I is journaled in rear plate I2 and guide 82, and at its forwardmost end terminates in the female half, 84, of a cone clutch.

An inner sleeve 85 and an outer sleeve 92 both surround shaft BI, the male half 93, of the cone clutch being carried by the latter, and both sleeves being adapted for axial displacement as well as for rotation. The forward end of the inner sleeve is provided with a flange 8E and the rearward end is enlarged at 81 to provide an inner shoulder 88 and an outer shoulder 89. A coil spring 9I surrounds shaft BI within the enlarged portion of the sleeve and at either end thereof bears against a ring 90, which in turn is affixed to the shaft SI, and against the inner shoulder 88, to urge the male half, 93, into engagement with the female half, 84, of the clutch.

A stylus 94 is carried on the outer sleeve, the stylus comprising an arm 95 having a slot 96 therein and a pencil 91 being mounted in flanged housing members 98 and 99 the flanges of which engage the arm at either side of the slot 96 through which the pencil extends so that the entire pencil assembly is free to move radially with respect to the rotatable arm.

A vertically sliding manual control member Illil having slots Iill therein which cooperate with guides or pillars I02, associated with the front plate, is positioned forward of the housing and terminates in a knob IIZ.

A slot IE3 is also formed in the manual control member, the edges of which are adapted to engage the slabbed collar I04. Cam surface I05 is formed on the slabbed collar for cooperation with the pin I05 positioned in the manual control member in such a manner that the lifting of the manual control member will urge the slabbed collar into engagement with flange, I08, on enlarged portion 81 to displace the inner collar in opposition to spring SI, the flange 86 engaging the outer sleeve to disen age the clutch. Upon disengagement of the clutch, stylus 94 will fall to a vertically depending position, the outer sleeve rotating freely with respect to the inner sleeve.

A slot III enables manual control member IGEI to engage a switch lever I Ill associated with a switch positioned in switch housing I09, the switch being in circuit with and controlling the action of synchronous motor I4.

A plate H3 is associated with guide 82 by means of studs H4, 9. suitable spacing member I I5 being interposed between the plate and the guide so that a card H6 may be inserted therebetween, the card resting on the spacing memher.

The assembly comprising the guide, spacing member, plate and studs forms a holder for the record card which in Figure 4 is shown to be of rectangular outline.

A back cover plate H9 is also provided which may be suitably affixed to the wooden housing 'IU.

Regarding the operation of the modification shown in Figures 4 to 7, inclusive, a card is inserted in the card holder between plate H3 and guide 82 when the manual control member is in its uppermost position as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the pin I05 engaging the vertical surface I20 of the slabbed collar I64 so that the clutch mem bers 84 and 93 are disengaged from each other, and the switch arm Ill] being in the off position so that the motor is inoperative. At the beginning of the time interval. which is, or a function of which is, to be recorded, the knob H2 is depressed, causing the manual control member to be moved to its lowermost position and moving the switch arm to its lower or on position. This establishes a circuit through the self -starting synchronous motor M, causing rotation of female member 84 of the cone clutch. The motion of the manual control member also disengages the pin I96 from the vertical surface I28 of slabbed collar I04, these parts now being in the position shown in Figures 6 and '7, so that spring SI is permitted to urge the inner sleeve 85 forward which in turn urges the outer sleeve 92 forward and the male member 53 into engagement with the rotating female member 84 of the clutch to cause rotation of the outer sleeve and the stylus 94 which is carried thereby. The forward displacement of the outer sleeve also brings the pencil point 97 into engagement with the card, a small coil spring lIl being positioned within pencil housing member 98 to urge the pencil into engagement with the card, this spring being considerably weaker than spring 9| so that irregularities in the surface of the card will not effect appreciably th engagement of the clutch members.

The shape of the card corresponds closely to the inner edge of spacing member II5 thereby preventing rotation of the card with respect to the holder. As the stylus rotates, the spiral slot II 8 in the guide 82 will cause a spiral line to be marked on the card, the pencil being free to move radially with relation to the arm 95. Consequently, the extent of the rotation of the stylus will be measured by the line marked on the card and even thoughthe rotation exceeds 360 degrees the extent of rotation will be evident due to the fact that the line is spiral and not circular.

When the desired time interval has expired, the knob and the control member are lifted causing the motor to be shut off. Simultaneously therewith, the action of the pin I96 on cam surface Ill5 will cause the two clutch members to be disengaged, and the stylus will become disengaged from the spiral slot and swing freely to the vertically depending position illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, in which position it is ready to cooperate with the beginning or outer end of the slot H8 when the knob is again depressed.

Although card H5 is of rectangular configuration, it may be marked with indicia similar to those cards illustrated in Figures 8 and 9.

It is understood that my invention is not limited to those preferred embodiments described above, but that Various other combinations and subcombinations of the elements shown or of equivalent elements and various modifications and changes in the disclosed construction and in the shape, size and proportions of the parts thereof may be effected without departing from the spirit of my invention except as limited by the following claims.

I claim:

1. Recording mechanism comprising a stylus, a card holder including a spiral guide, means for producing relative rotation between said stylus and said card holder, means for mounting said stylus for displacement thereof, by said guide, in a direction substantially radial with respect to said relative rotation, whereby said stylus records on a card inserted in said card holder the extent of said relative rotation and means for simultaneously initiating the operation of said rotation producing means and for bringing said stylus into cooperative relationship with said card holder and guide.

2. Recording mechanism comprising a stylus, a rotatable arm on which said stylus is mounted, said stylus being mounted for radial motion with respect to said arm, a card holder for cooperation with said stylus, a guide associated with said card holder and presenting a spiral edge to be engaged by said stylus, time responsive means for driving said rotatable arm, and means to disengage said arm from said driving means and to withdraw said stylus from engagement with said guide whereby said arm is permitted to rotate freely to starting position.

3. Recording mechanism comprising a stylus, a rotatable arm on which said stylus is mounted, said stylus being mounted for radial motion with respect to said arm, a card holder for cooperation with said stylus, a guide associated with said card holder and presenting a spiral edge to be engaged by said stylus, resilient means for urging said stylus in a radial direction against said guide, time responsive means for driving said rotatable arm, a clutch positioned between said time responsive driving means and said arm, means for displacing said rotatable arm axially to operate said clutch and to cause said stylus to contact a card inserted in said holder, and means to release said clutch and to withdraw said stylus from engagement with said guide whereby said arm is permitted to rotate freely to a position of rest.

4. Recording mechanism comprising a housing, a synchronous motor within said housing, a card holder having a slotted spiral guide formed in one member thereof, said card holder being driven by said motor, a stylus associated with said housing for movement into registry with said slotted guide and into engagement with a card inserted in said holder, the point of said stylus being displaceable by said guide in a radial direction, resilient means for urging the point of said stylus radially against said guide, and means for locking said stylus in operative position, said locking means including two contact members in series electrical circuit with said motor which contact each other in order to render said motor operative only when said stylus is locked in operative position.

5. Recording mechanism comprising a housing, a synchronous motor mounted therein, a stylus associated with said motor comprising a rotatabl arm and a radially sliding point, a card holder positioned for cooperation with said stylus and including a spirally slotted member, the point of said stylus extending parallel to the axis thereof and normally projecting through said slotted member, said slotted member determining the radial position of said point with respect to said arm, means for axially displacing said slotted member, and means for disengaging said stylus from said motor.

6. Recording mechanism comprising a housing, a synchronous motor mounted therein, a rotatable stylus associated with said motor, a card holder positioned for cooperation with said stylus and having a spiral slot therein, the point of said stylus extending parallel to the axis thereof and normally projecting into said slot, means to permit radial movement of said point with respect to said stylus, means for axially displacing said stylus to withdraw the point thereof from said slot, means for disengaging said stylus from said motor, means for rendering said motor inoperative, and manuallyoperated means for controlling the last three mentioned means simultaneously.

'7. A recording mechanism comprising time responsive driving means, a stylus, a slotted guide for said stylus, one of the group comprising said stylus and said guide being associated with and driven by said time responsive driving means, means associated with said guide for holding a removable record sheet, said stylus extending through said guide to make a time record on the record sheet, a manually operable member, and means controlled by said member for simultaneously bringing said stylus into cooperation with said slotted guide and the record sheet and for initiating the operation of said time responsive driving means.

8. A job time recorder comprising a recording member, means for removably holding a record sheet in cooperative relation with said recording member, time responsive driving means for directly and continuously driving said recording member to make a time record on a sheet inserted in said holding means, and means for simultaneously removing said recording member from recording position and disengaging it from said time responsive driving means.

9. A recording mechanism comprising a housing, a card holder having a guide associated therewith, said guide having a spiral slot formed therein, a synchronous motor for rotating said card holder and guide, a hasp mounted on said housing, a stylus mounted on said hasp for movement into registry with said slot, and into engagement with a card inserted in said card holder,

stylus to withdraw the point thereof from said said stylus being telescopic so that the point thereof may be displaced radially with respect to said guide, means for locking said hasp and said stylus in operative position, and means for rendering said motor operative only when said stylus is locked in operative position.

10. A recording mechanism comprising a housing, a card holder having a guide member, said guide member having a spiral slot formed therein, a synchronous motor for rotating said card holder, a hasp swingably mounted on said housing, a stylus mounted on said hasp and arranged to move radially with reference to said guide, said stylus being moved into registry with said slot and into engagement with a card inserted in said card holder when said hasp is swung to its closed position, and means for latching said hasp in said closed position, said means simultaneously closing the circuit to said synchronous motor.

11. A recording mechanism comprising a housing enclosing a card holder having a spiral slot in one face thereof, a rotatable stylus having a point substantially perpendicular thereto and movable radially with respect thereto, said point normally extending into said slot and in contact with a card inserted in said card holder, a synchronous motor for driving said stylus, a manually operabl member extending outside of said housing, and means controlled by a single operation of said member for axially displacing said stylus to Withdraw the point thereof from said slot, for disengaging the driving connection between said motor and said stylus, and for rendering said motor inoperative.

12. In a time recording mechanism, a recording member, a sheet holder including a spiral guide for said recording member, timing mechanism for driving said recording member in a path defined by said guide whereby the position of said recording member with respect to said spiral path is a measure of elapsed time, and a manually operable member for simultaneously initiating the operation of said timing mechanism, for connecting said recording member to said timing mechanism, and for bringing said recording member and said sheet holder into operative relationship to make a record on a sheet inserted in said sheet holder.

13. A time recorder comprising a housing enclosing a recording member, a sheet supporting means, an opening accessible from without said housing through which a sheet may be positioned on said supporting means, a spiral guide for said recording member, timing mechanism for driving said recording member in a path defined by said guide whereby the position of said recording member with respect to said spiral path is a measure of elapsed time, a manually operable member projecting through said housing, and means responsive to the operation of said manually operable member for bringing said recording member and said sheet supporting means into operative relationship to make a record on a sheet positioned on said sheet supporting means and for connecting said recording member to said timing mechanism.

GROVER C. LARSON. 

